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CHAPTER IV.

DISGUISED AS A CONFEDERATE OFFICER.

Preparing a military Outfit. Consultations with a Friend. Argument against my proposed Plan of Action. Assuming the Uniform of a Confederate Officer. A Scene in a Barber's Shop. How young Men try to make their Beards grow. Taking a social Drink. A Game of Billiards. In a Faro Bank. Some War Talk. Drinks all around. The End of an exciting Day. Making up a Complexion. A false Mustache. Final Preparations. Letters from Husband and Father. Ready to start for the Seat of War.

ITHIN three days I managed to provide myself with a very complete military outfit; quite sufficient to enable me to commence operations without delay, which was the main J 5 thing I was after, for I was exceed- ~g ingly anxious to carry out a magnifi cent idea I had in my mind, and to present myself before my husband, under such auspices that he could no longer find an excuse for refusing his consent to my joining the South ern army as a soldier. My uniform suit having been arranged for, it was an easy matter for me to procure the rest of my outfit without unduly attracting attention, and I soon had in my room a trunk well packed with the wearing apparel of an army officer, and neatly marked upon the outside with the name I had concluded to adopt.

Lieutenant H. T. Buford, C. S. A.

When I saw the trunk with this name upon it as large as life, my heart fairly jumped for joy, and I felt as if the dream of my life were already more than half realized. There was a good deal, however, to be done before I could move any